MaggotClanGen

This is a little warriors fan project based on my clangen/lifegen (Pridegen) save. Every day/other day I will post about certain events that have happened in the moon.

Start here!

Triggers & Tags

This blog will deal with some pretty heavy themes including PTSD, emotional manipulation, religious trauma, homophobia, transphobia, and death. If I feel like something is particularly triggering, I will tag it. If you think that something should have a certain tag, please let me know!

Moon updates will be tagged #maggotclanmoons.

Little bits of lore I drop will be tagged #maggotclanlore.

Asks will be tagged #maggotclanasks.

And art if I eventually get to it (I broke my tablet and I'm not in a position to get a new one) will be tagged #maggotclanart.

Sprites & Relationship Bars

Sprites will only be posted after a character has passed! This is because when I first started this I didn't think to take screenshots of characters and a lot of sprites will contain spoilers such as scars and missing limbs. This also gives me more creative freedom for how I describe the characters appearances. Relationship bars will also not be posted for the same reason.

Asks

TW: Homophobia & Transphobia; Torture; Religious Abuse

(These are not the views of the author, I stand by any and all LGBTQIA+ folks, you are loved <3)

This is just gives a bit of background as to a big reason why Yelloweyes and Velvetdream left the clan with Warmstar.

Origins

According to legend, in Paradise's teachings, he referred to same-sex relationships and identifying outside the sex you were born with as sinful. However, this isn't written in any of his Teachings of the World (old symbols Paradise inscribed onto two deer antlers) and he never mentions LGBTQIA+ cats.

What most likely happened is that an old ButterflyClan leader needed a reason to inspire his clan to take up the fight against a large rogue group that outnumbered them. Noting that the rogue group had a large number of LGBTQIA+ cats, he stated that Paradise declared it a sin, causing the clan to become incentivized to defeat them.

ButterflyClan

ButterflyClan is out of all the clans, the most dangerous clan for LGBTQIA+ cats. They are vehement that Paradise truly did say that all LGBTQIA+ were a sin and that one can choose to be attracted to the "right" gender and that transgender/nonbinary cats are simply "confused" (ButterflyClan has a large number of closeted bisexuals & trans cats). Aro-Ace spec cats are in a grey area because while they aren't breaking the rules, they technically aren't following them either and are shunned.

ButterflyClan hosts a "Conversion Camp", a camp not too far from the actual camp where any cat above the age of 6 moons is sent if they are suspected of being LGBTQIA+. The camp is lead by a specialized group of healers who unlike most healers, are trained in fighting. Residents of the camp are not allowed to leave until it has been proven that they are "fixed". While ButterflyClan claims that the camps are completely ethical, there are a substantial amount of reports that residents are starved and beaten daily. Velvetdream and Yelloweyes were forced to attend this camp (Warmstar was semi-shunned and Eveningbriar & Cavepool believed they were straight).

BeeClan

BeeClan is less extreme than ButterflyClan, but nonetheless hostile. Most LGBTQIA+ are shunned and disowned by their families (a fate worse than death in BeeClan). They do not directly call ButterflyClan's practices unethical, preferring to stay silent.

BeetleClan

BeetleClan has slowly become more progressive in views, with the clan now welcoming their first openly gay leader, Vulturestar. While LGBTQIA+ cats may be avoided by the more religious members of the clan, it is distasteful to be outwardly hateful. BeetleClan despises ButterflyClan's practices and vice-versa.

AntClan & WaspClan

Primrose steps into the leader’s den, gagging at the scent of blood. Why did his den always smell like this? “Warmstar?”

The tabby groans in his nest, peeling an eye open. “Yes, Primrose?”

Primrose approaches the leader, putting a paw on his forehead. “Yer burnin’ up. Sure you don’t want me to move ya into the healer’s den?”

Warmstar coughs. “No, I don’t want the clan knowing I’m sick.”

Primrose sighs. “Well, I think it’s just a case of whitecough, nothin’ too threatenin’.”

“Then the clan doesn’t have to know about it.” Warmstar rasps.

Primrose sighs. She had noticed that the cat had a stubborn streak, always insisting that he hid anything that could be viewed as weakness. It was worse than what she had seen in some rogues. “You really should go to the healer’s den, we can monitor it be-”

“I am your leader and I say I stay here!” he growls, tail lashing.

Primrose is silent for a moment. “Fine. You can stay, leader.” She silently pads out of the medicine cat den.

Meanwhile…

“Oh my stars!”

Cavepool rushes to meet the injured warrior at the end of camp. Yelloweyes was bloody and bruised and panting heavily. Yet strangely enough, he was smiling…

“Yellow, what happened!”

“I won…” Yelloweyes rasps out, eyes triumphant.

“Wh-What!?”

“I showed… that stupid fox… what for…” he pants.

“W-Wait, do you mean-”

“Brave’s fox. Yeah, it. Been looking for it for moons now.”

“Wait, you’ve been actively hunting this thing!?” Though it made sense. Yelloweyes always jumped at the chance of a border patrol, especially near the site they found Bravepaw.

“It remembered me…” Yelloweyes growled. “It even started salivating.”

“Y-You can tell me about it later! Let’s get you patched up first!” Cavepool admonished, already assessing the damage.

“O-Okay…” his clanmate replied, both annoyed that his story had been interrupted and flustered that Cavepool was giving him so much attention, even if it was just his job.

Cavepool leads him to the healer’s den and lays him down in a nest. “You’re not too bad off, just some cuts and bruises.”

“Hah!” Yelloweyes laughs proudly. “You should see the fox!”

“Oh, really?” Cavepool asks, gingerly applying garlic to reduce the chances of infection.

“Yeah! I mauled the thing’s face! He won’t be finding any mates, I’m sure of it! Gave me one hell of a fight though.”

“I can see.” Cavepool sighs, patching up larger cuts with cobwebs.

“But you wanna know the best part? Just as it was fleeing I managed to get it by the base of his tail and shred it to the tip!” Yelloweyes boasts, eyes shining with pride.

“Well, what goes around come around I suppose.” Cavepool purrs, knowing that this is simply Yelloweyes way of getting closure.

“Hey, Cavepool…” Yelloweyes start, now quiet. “Do you think they’ve forgiven me?”

Cavepool curls around the bi-colored tom, knowing exactly who he’s talking about. “I think they’ve always forgiven you. I think you’ve forgiven you.”

Late that night…

Warmstar coughs as he fixes the bones into position. He knows he really should go to the healer den but it would be harder to feed her from there.

After chanting all too familiar words, she appears, a lithe figure of shadow and fire. Warmstar tosses the hare to her. “Here.” 

The figure looks at the hare, disappointed, obviously expecting something more… substantial.

“Look, this is all I could get. If you haven’t noticed, I'm sick.”

The figure gives what must have been a sigh before touching its nose to the hare. Upon contact, the hare instantly decays, becoming nothing but a pile of bones. The creature then stands, stretches, and disappears.

Events

Primrose no longer has whitecough!

Warmstar has whitecough!

Yelloweyes gets bruises after fighting a fox!

Characters

Warmstar: Medium-furred light brown tabby tom with violet eyes and a reddish-brown paw print on his forehead | 21 moons | Leader (9 lives) | Charismatic | Good Decorator | Cis!Male (he/him) | Aroace

Primrose: Medium-furred cream & black calico she-cat with pale green eyes and a frostbitten paw | 69 moons | Healer | Shameless | Incredibly Clever| Cis!Fem (she/her) | Aroace

Cavepool: Medium-furred unusually spotted gray tom with cyan eyes | 16 moons | Healer | Bouncy | Incredibly Knowledgeable| Cis!Male (he/him) | Bi

Yelloweyes: Medium-furred speckled dark brown and white tom with yellow eyes and a scar at the base of his tail| 19 moons | Warrior | Ambitious | Fast Runner | Cis!Male (he/him) | Gay

E B P O G Z V K N | ??? | ??? | Demon | ??? | ??? | ??? (she/it)| ???

“Alright, Bravepaw, let’s try again.”

“Okay…”

Bravepaw once again attempts to climb the gargantuan oak, dragging herself a few fox-lengths up before losing balance and sliding back to the ground.

“Oh! Are you okay!?” Eveningbriar exclaims, rushing towards her wounded apprentice. The apprentice blinks, dazed, before bursting into tears.

“Oh, I’ll never be a warrior!”

Eveningbriar curls around the distraught apprentice, licking her ear soothingly. “Now, now, what makes you say that.”

“I-I’m not good enough!” she wails, “I’m trying, I’m trying, I really am! But I just can’t do it!”

The warrior shushes the young she-cat. “Oh, don’t be silly. Everyone struggles at some point in their apprenticeship. They even struggle when they’re warriors! It’s natural to struggle, it’s a part of life. The important thing is that you don’t give up.” She turns the young cat to face her. “Bravepaw, you are one of the smartest, bravest, kindest cat I’ve ever met. You’ll get the hang of this.”

The smoky colored she-cat sniffs. “Thank you. I appreciate it… But can we go to Cavepool’s now? My paw really hurts.”

“Yes, of course, we can always visit Cavepool.”

Meanwhile…

Primrose groans as she hears the sound of all too familiar pawsteps at the mouth of the healer den.

“Heya, darlin’!”

Primrose turns to face Fidgetfoot. “Whaddya want, Fidgetfool?”

“Well- hey, not nice!” Fidgetfoot whines. “And I’m here on a mission!”

“Which is?”

“Cavepool wants you to go and get some fresh air so I’m goin’ to take ya on a lil’ hunting trip!”

“No.” Primrose says firmly. “It’s too cold out.”

“Primrose, c’mon, it’s not as if you’ll freeze as soon as ya touch some snow!” 

Silence.

 “If you don’t come out with me I’ll stay in here and pester you.”

“... An hour. That’s it.”

Sometime later…

Primrose and Fidgetfoot laugh gleefully as they romp about in the snow, hunting completely forgotten.

“Hey, who am I? ‘Grr! I’m big and strong and have thistledown for brains!’” 

Primrose laughs. “Ugh, Bugs! What an annoyin’ brute!”

“And this! ‘Well, actually, that tree is exactly seven and a two-thirds of a fox-length tall, not eight fox-lengths, you stupid idiot!’”

Primrose lets out a giggle. “That’s Sy right there.”

“O-Oh! Here’s another one! ‘Chose me, Shade. Love me, Shade. Pick me, Shade.’” As he’s prancing about, he trips on a lump of snow they had made earlier in the day and falls face first into it.

“Wow, you got China down perfectly, even down to the dramatic tripping!” she jokes, leaving both cats wheezing with laughter, and Fidgetfoot can’t help but realize how pretty her smile is.

***

Events

Bravepaw gets a splinter climbing a tree!

Eveningbriar comforts Bravepaw after a failed training session!

Primrose mocks Fidgetfoot’s old rogue group with him!

***

Characters

Primrose: Medium-furred cream & black calico she-cat with pale green eyes and a frostbitten paw | 68 moons | Healer | Shameless | Incredibly Clever| Cis!Fem (she/her) | Aroace

Fidgetfoot: Short-furred light brown tabby tom with pale yellow eyes| 57 moons | Warrior | Justified | Good Sport & Out-Of-The-Box Thinker | Cis!Male (he/him) | Bi

Eveningbriar: Medium-furred black/Golden-brown mottled she-cat with gray eyes| 15 moons | Warrior | Insecure | Captivating Singer | Cis!Fem (she/her) | Pan

Before we get more into the clan, I wanted to talk a little bit on Paradise and the Abyss.

What Are They?

Paradise and the Abyss are my AU's StarClan/Dark Forest equivalent, and they sort of function like heaven and hell.

Origins

Paradise and Abyss were originally not places, but two divine cats who roamed the earth. Paradise was a naturally good cat, unable to do any wrong or harm. Abyss was the complete opposite, a naturally bad cat who could only cause harm. The two eventually went their separate ways after they had an argument over Abyss' killing of an innocent cat. Both cats went out into the world gathering followers. After some time, they clashed in the final battle of good and evil, both cats slaying the other. Their bodies then became the plains of Paradise and the Abyss and their followers became angels and demons respectively.

Deals

The cats of the clans believe that if a cat is good, their soul will automatically be guided to Paradise and if they will evil, they would be drawn to the Abyss. However, that isn't true, not entirely. See, the battle isn't truly over, it has just taken a new form.

Deals.

A deal is made when an angel or a demon contacts a living cat (or the other way around) and they make a contract with each other. When a deal is made, that cat's soul is locked into the domain they made the deal with. They will also be given a power (ex. invulnerability, future sight). The strength of the power depends on the rank of the angel/demon. In return, the cat may be tasked with converting a certain number of cats or killing someone who made a deal with the other side. Making deal will give the angel/demon more power.

Only angels/demons of the Prince rank can conduct the Ultimate Deal, a lives ceremony. In this type of deal, anyone who pledges allegiance to the clan the one who receives the lives leads is automatically sent to their domain. Only those who have made the deal know the price.

Ranks

Demons and Angels have ranks based on how much power one has. Powers are based on deals. The more deals made, the more power is had. When a cat dies and goes to their respective domain and becomes an angel/demon, the angel/demon that first recruited them gets a cut of every deal that cat has made and so on and so forth.

For example: A makes a deal with B. B makes a deal with C. A gets 1/2 of the power B gets from the deal. C makes a deal with D. B gets 1/2 of the power C gets from the deal. A gets 1/4 of the power C gets from the deal.

The ranks are:

Lord/Lady

Count(ess)

Marquis/Marchioness

Duke/Duchess

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Velvetdream asks, letting the older she-cat lean on her.

“Oh, I’m fine, quit fussin’.” Primrose snaps, before breaking into a coughing fit. Shortly after joining the clan, Primrose had come down with a persistent case of whitecough which had delayed getting the last of her things from her old den. However, impatient, Primrose insisted that they should go get the last of her things today. 

Velvetdream stops, halting the patrol. “I smell cat.”

Primrose sniffs the air. “Oh, fer cryin’ out loud. If it’s what I think it is, it’s nothin’.”

Velvetdream gives her a concerned look. “Are you sure?”

“Yep, just follow.”

The two head into the clearing where Primrose had once made her home to see a light brown tabby tom rifling through her den.

“Fidget, get yer no good thieving head out my den.” Primrose hisses.

The tom, Fidget, excitedly raises his head out of the den. “Primrose! Oh stars I was worried ‘bout ya!” He bounds towards her, but is stopped by Velvetdream.

“Who are you?” she hisses.

Fidget gives her a charming smile. “Name’s Fidget, darlin’. Pleasure to meetcha!”

Velvetdream turns to Primrose, eyes begging for an explanation. 

The older calico sighs. “This is Fidget, one of the no good kittypet-rogues who likes to raid me.”

“Aw, Primrose, don’t put it like that!” Fidget whines. “You know I don’t like this business, but Dash’d have my head if I said no.”

“Dash?” Velvetdream questions.

“My sister. I love ‘er to death, but boy does she have one big mean streak!” Fidget explains. “By the way, who’s the chick.”

Velvetdream gives a slight nod of her head. “I am Velvetdream, deputy of MaggotClan-”

“A clan!? A real life clan!?” Fidget exclaims excitedly. “Primrose, you got cushy with clancats!? Oh, my momma used to always tell me stories ‘bout clancats, I’m actually part clancat on my papa’s side. Tell me, what’s it like?”

Velvetdream steps back as Fidget assaults her with a barrage of questions, slightly taken back at the tom’s enthusiasm. However, he is quickly cut off by Primrose.

“Well, it’s been nice speakin’ to ya, Fidget, but I need my stuff.”

“Huh? Ya leaving somewhere?” Fidget asks, concerned. “But your paw? Not to mention you don’t look too hot, Primrose.”

Primrose scoffs. “I’m fine. And for yer information, I’m livin’ with the clancats now.”

Fidget gasps. “No way! You’re a clancat now! Can I be one too!”

“What!?” Velvetdream exclaims. “Sorry, bud, we don’t accept just anyone. Plus, you’re a crook!”

“Wha- Hey now, it’s not like I wanna do this! I ain’t all bad, tell ‘em Primrose!” Fidget pleads.

Velvetdream turns to Primrose who scoffs. “Outta all o’ them, he’s the least bad. As annoying as he is, he’s an honest cat.”

Velvetdream turns back to Fidget. “If you were to leave, could you leave in a way that wouldn’t get you traced?” 

Fidget nods enthusiastically. “Yeah! I’ll leave all stealthy-like!”

Velvetdream sighs. “We can bring it up with our leader, just help us get Primrose’s stuff back to camp.”

Fidget leaps up. “Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you! Oh, stars! Oh, stars! I’m a clancat! Hey, do you think I could be called Fidgetfoot now, it sounds cool!”

“Err, we’ll bring it up with Warmstar…”

Meanwhile…

Cavepaw enters the leader’s den, wrinkling his nose at the acrid scent of blood that seemed to seep into the walls. “Warm, can I talk with you for a second?”

Warmstar rises out of his nest, shaking himself off. “Yeah, sure, Cave! Whatcha need?”

“Could you… give me my healer name?” 

“Hm? I thought you thought the whole naming thing was stupid?” Warmstar questions, confused.

“I find the fact Paradise names you stupid.” the gray tom corrects, “But I do like the concept of getting your name from someone who’s actually, you know, real. Someone who actually knows you. I like that. And since we don’t have a holy site, you get to name me. And believe me, I’d rather be named by my best friend than by some dumb stars. So, would you?”

“Cave, I’d be honored.” Warmstar purrs, thrilled that Cavepaw considered him to be his best friend. “We’ll hold a meeting at sunset-”

“No.” Cavepaw states, firm. “I want this to be just me and you, if that’s alright?”

“Oh… okay. Any suggestions?”

Cavepaw shrugs. “Not really.”

Warmstar smiles. “I always thought Cavepool would be a pretty name for you. Coz of your eyes…”

Cavepaw thinks about it for a second before replying. “I like it. Thank you.”

Warmstar purrs. “I’m glad. Now that that’s out of the way, do you want to help me sort my leaf collection?”

“Of course.”

Meanwhile…

“Border patrol! Border patrol!”

“Bravepaw, please, do you want everyone to know we’re out here!?”

Eveningbriar and Bravepaw were out along the twolegplace border on patrol. They were supposed to be making sure that kittypets stopped trespassing along this border. However, in the back of her mind, Eveningbriar hoped she would run into Ariel again…

“Blech!”  Bravepaw exclaims. “What’s that yucky smell?”

Eveningbriar sniffs the air, her blood running cold. “Dog. Get in the bushes.”

“But-”

“Now!”

Eveningbriar shoves both herself and the apprentice into the bushes, just in time as the dog arrives. 

“I thought they were supposed to be massive…”

“Some of them are, this one’s small…”

“... I bet I could take it.”

“What? No!”

Before Eveningbriar can stop the eager she-cat she rushes at the dog, aiming for its eyes. The beast howls and gives a retaliatory nip which Bravepaw easily dodges, aiming for the canine’s underbelly. The dog lets out a low whine before rushing off.

“Did you see that!?”

Eveningbriar rushes out of the bushes. “Wow, that was…”

“Awesome? Cool? Worthy of an early graduation?”

“Reckless!” Eveningbriar cries. “You could have gotten us both killed! Once we get back to camp you are grounded! We’re reciting the warrior code for the rest of the moon!”

“Aww!”

“Now let’s get you back to camp and patched up! Maybe I can use this as an excuse to talk to Cavepaw…”

***

Events

Primrose catches whitecough!

Fidgetfoot joins the clan!

Cavepool becomes a full-fledged healer!

Bravepaw gets bruised by a dog!

***

Characters

Warmstar: Medium-furred light brown tabby tom with violet eyes and a reddish-brown paw print on his forehead | 19 moons | Leader (9 lives) | Charismatic | Good Decorator | Cis!Male (he/him) | Aroace

Velvetdream: Medium-furred light brown she-cat with copper eyes | 17 moons | Deputy | Reserved | Multilingual & Masterful Storyteller | Trans!Fem (she/her) | Lesbian

Primrose: Medium-furred cream & black calico she-cat with pale green eyes and a frostbitten paw | 67 moons | Healer | Shameless | Incredibly Clever| Cis!Fem (she/her) | Aroace

Cavepool: Medium-furred unusually spotted gray tom with cyan eyes | 14 moons | Healer | Bouncy | Incredibly Knowledgeable| Cis!Male (he/him) | Bi

Fidgetfoot: Short-furred light brown tabby tom with pale yellow eyes| 56 moons | Warrior | Justified | Good Sport & Out-Of-The-Box Thinker | Cis!Male (he/him) | Bi

Eveningbriar: Medium-furred black/Golden-brown mottled she-cat with gray eyes| 14 moons | Warrior | Insecure | Captivating Singer | Cis!Fem (she/her) | Pan

Moon 7: Leaf-Fall

“And this is what we like to call The Den of Wrens! A lot of them nest specifically in this part of the forest!”

“Woah!”

Both mentor and apprentice were buzzing with excitement. Bravepaw had finally been made an apprentice. And, much to everyone’s shock, was given to Eveningbriar to train. Eveningbriar guessed it was to help improve her self-confidence.

“I’ll have to keep this place in mind. Cavepaw said he absolutely loved wren!”

Eveningbriar freezes in her tracks. “C-C-C-Cavepaw!?”

“Yep! He gets so excited when Warmstar brings one back!”

“Brave, change of plans! Let’s hunt as many wrens as we can!”

“What? But Warmstar said-”

“Yes, yes, we can get you familiar territory later, right now, hunting! Besides, don’t you think Warmstar will be super impressed if you catch something on your first day?”

This gives Bravepaw pause. “Yeah… Yeah! I’m going to be the best apprentice ever!”

Eveningbriar grins. She gives the younger cat an impromptu lesson in bird hunting and soon enough catches a bird!

“I did it! I did it! I’m gonna show this to Warmstar!”

“But first we’ll show it to Cavepaw!”

Meanwhile…

“What.”

“The.”

“Stars.”

The patrol didn’t quite know what they were looking at. They went to check a poorly maintained part of the territory to find a well-lived in badger den. But not by a badger. Definitely not by a badger. Herbs were set off on flat rocks to dry, prey was hidden behind a bush, and the scent of cat flooded the place. A neutral scent. Probably a loner.

“How long do you think they’ve been living here?” Yelloweyes asks, sticking his head down the den.

“Probably moons from the look of it…” Velvetdream replies, sniffing at the prey.

Warmstar is much more concerned about the herbs. “Seems like they’re a skilled herbalist. Most loners don’t know how to use herbs, let alone that drying them makes them last longer…”

A hiss and a yowl rings out though the clearing, and Warmstar whips his head around to see Velvetdream pinned under a calico she-cat.

“Nobody move or the she-cat gets-”

The calico is cut off as Velvetdream flips her off with her back legs, Yelloweyes rushing to pin the hostile cat down.

“Who are you!?” he hisses.

“I should be askin’ you! Rifling through my home, what’re ya? A bunch of rogues? Or some kittypets playing bad cats?”

“She has a point…” Velvetdream murmurs.

Warmstar steps forward. “Listen, we do not want to harm you or your home. I’m sure this is all one big misunderstanding. Can we release you without being afraid you might attack us or make a run for it?”

The she-cat scowls before nodding. “Yeah, sure.”

Warmstar nods at Yelloweyes who gets off the she-cat, still tense.

“Now, how about some introductions?” Warmstar offers. “I’m Warmstar, that’s my deputy Velvetdream, and my warrior Yelloweyes. We’re from MaggotClan. Who are you?”

“Huh? So yer clan cats. Can’t say I ever heard o’ that clan before though. Name’s Primrose, daughter of Canary.”

“Daughter of… oh, I see, I’ve heard of you guys!” Velvetdream turns to her clanmates. “She’s part of a traveling healer colony, they all introduce themselves with their mother’s name, I heard about them in a story.” she explains. 

“Heh, you know yer stuff.” Primrose confirms, impressed. “And I used to be a traveler, had to give it a rest.”

“Why?” Warmstar asks.

The she-cat raises a red, furless paw. “Got frostbite on my paw. Couldn’t keep up with the walking no more.”

Warmstar nods. “I see. And how long have you been here?”

“Almost two leaf-bares now.” she replies.

The patrol goes wide-eyed. “Two leaf-bares!?” Yelloweyes exclaims. “We haven’t even been here for one!”

“I’m sorry, we just made a clan a few moons back and you’re kinda in our territory. We won’t ask you to move as that’s not fair to you, but maybe we can come up with some deal?” Warmstar explains.

“Hm, a clan… Well, I’m gonna be honest with ya, I’m in a rough patch. I ain’t too good at huntin’ or defendin’ myself, courtesy of this paw o’ mine. So how ‘bout we strike a deal?” she suggests. “I’ll be one o’ yer healers in exchange fer someone to hunt for me.”

Warmstar thinks for a moment before speaking. “That can be arranged.”

***

Events

Bravepaw becomes an apprentice and is apprenticed to Eveningbriar!

Eveningbriar realizes their heart always flutters when they think of Cavepaw!

Primrose joins the clan!

***

Characters

Warmstar: Medium-furred light brown tabby tom with violet eyes and a reddish-brown paw print on his forehead | 18 moons | Leader (9 lives) | Charismatic | Good Decorator | Cis!Male (he/him) | Aroace

Velvetdream: Medium-furred light brown she-cat with copper eyes | 16 moons | Deputy | Reserved | Dog-Whisperer & Masterful Storyteller | Trans!Fem (she/her) | Lesbian

Primrose: Medium-furred cream & black calico she-cat with pale green eyes and a frostbitten paw | 66 moons | Healer | Shameless | Incredibly Clever| Cis!Fem (she/her) | Aroace

Cavepaw: Medium-furred unusually spotted gray tom with cyan eyes | 13 moons | Healer App. | Bouncy | Incredibly Knowledgeable| Cis!Male (he/him) | Bi

Yelloweyes: Medium-furred speckled dark brown and white tom with yellow eyes and a scar at the base of his tail| 16 moons | Warrior | Ambitious | Fast Runner | Cis!Male (he/him) | Gay

Eveningbriar: Medium-furred black/Golden-brown mottled she-cat with gray eyes| 13 moons | Warrior | Insecure | Great Singer | Cis!Fem (she/her) | Pan

Bravepaw: Short-furred brown smoke she-cat with dark blue eyes | 6 moons | Warrior App. | Spontaneous | Steps Lightly & Interested in Clan History | Cis!Fem (she/her) | Straight

***

“All those old enough to pledge their loyalty, please gather under the Leader’s Ledge.”

The clan gathers, giddy. They have all been looking forward to the last of the original warrior apprentices graduate.

“Eveningpaw, step forward.”

Eveningpaw pads forward, steps uncertain. She had been like this ever since Warmstar knew her, shy and unconfident. However, he knew she had earned her place in the ranks of warriors.

“Eveningpaw, your intelligent mind and eloquent voice has helped get the clan to where we are today. I am proud to call you one of my warriors. From now on, you leave your paws behind and wear your claws with pride. You are now Eveningbriar.”

The clan cheers the beloved new warrior's name.

A few days later…

“Hey, Yellow?”

“Oh, err, good evening, Cavepaw! How are you?”

He sighs. “No need to be so formal. Especially when it’s me when it’s me who needs something from you.”

“Hm? Do you need something from me? Like an escort to go herb hunting or-”

“I need you to teach me how to fight.”

“What? But you’re-”

“A healer, I know.” Cavepaw sighs. “But Warm is really stressed over the prospect of war and I don’t want to feel like dead weight.”

“But you’re not dead weight!” Yelloweyes protests. “You’re the best star-damned healer I know, my tail’s testament to that!”

Cavepaw shakes his head. “I know, but with our size, we’ll need all the claws we can get.”

Yelloweyes sighs. “Well then, I can teach the basics.”

The two go to the training ground not too far from camp and practice basic slashes and the like. Despite the gap in experience and size, Cavepaw manages to hold his own against Yelloweyes.

“Are you okay?” Yelloweyes asks after he throws Cavepaw to the ground for the fifth time in a row.

“Yeah, ‘m fine.” he replies, shaking himself off.

“You’re hesitating too much. I get it, I’m your clanmate, but as soon as you see an opportunity, you need to take it. The other clans aren’t going to wait for you to go get your bearings like I have. They’re going to-”

Yelloweyes is cut off as Cavepaw leaps towards him, pinning him to the ground. Yelloweyes can feel himself getting hot in his pelt. Was Cavepaw always this strong!? Or handsome!? 

The clearing is dead silent until Cavepaw comes to his senses. “O-O-Oh my stars, I-I’m so sorry!” he stutters, quickly getting off the larger tom.

“N-No, you’re fine, you’re hot, I-I mean i-it’s hot, w-we should take a break, deal? Deal.”

Cavepaw watches in confusion as he sees the normally confident tom scramble off in a panic. “Did I do something wrong?”

Meanwhile…

“I can’t believe this is my first patrol as a warrior…” Eveningbriar remarks.

“I’m proud of you.” Warmstar purrs, truly meaning it.

“Thank you, I-” Eveningbriar stops. “I smell cat.”

Warmstar stops, sniffing the air. “You’re right.”

“Do you think-”

“No,” Warmstar assures. “It’s too sweet. Probably kittypet.”

“We should tell them their on clan territory.”

Warmstar nods in agreement and they go to track the kittypet down. They eventually find a gray she-cat with a white tail tip, green bow wrapped around her neck. She seems distressed.

“Hello?” Eveningbriar greets, causing the she-cat to jump up. “It’s okay, you’re not in trouble. What’s your name?”

The she-cat slowly calms down. “Ariel. My name’s Ariel.”

“Well my name’s Eveningbriar, and this is my leader, Warmstar.”

“Huh, you got funny names…” she gasps. “You must be clancats!”

“Yes, we are.” Eveningbriar confirms. “And right now, you’re trespassing.”

“Oh!” Ariel exclaims. “I’m mighty sorry, I’m just looking for my brother.”

“Your brother?” Warmstar asks, feeling his blood run cold.

“Yeah, he looks a lot like me ‘cept with a red bow and-”

“You need to leave.”

Both Eveningbriar and Ariel stare at the tom in shock.

“But Warmstar, she just-”

“No buts! Go home now or go home with claw marks!”

The she-cat freezes in shock before darting off.

“What was that?” Eveningbriar asks, perturbed. “She seemed harmless…”

“I got a bad feeling. C’mon, let’s go home.”

The two pad back home, the playful atmosphere from earlier gone. Out of the corner of his eye he can see her. Smiling.

“Ro gkc novsmsyec.”

***

Events

Eveningbriar becomes a warrior!

Yelloweyes is impressed by Cavepaw’s fighting prowess!

The clan meets Ariel!

***

Characters

Warmstar: Medium-furred light brown tabby tom with violet eyes and a reddish-brown paw print on his forehead | 17 moons | Leader (9 lives) | Charismatic | Good Decorator | Cis!Male (he/him) | Aroace

Velvetdream: Medium-furred light brown she-cat with copper eyes | 15 moons | Deputy | Reserved | Dog-Whisperer & Masterful Storyteller | Trans!Fem (she/her) | Lesbian

Cavepaw: Medium-furred unusually spotted gray tom with cyan eyes | 12 moons | Healer App. | Bouncy | Incredibly Knowledgeable| Cis!Male (he/him) | Bi

Yelloweyes: Medium-furred speckled dark brown and white tom with yellow eyes and a scar at the base of his tail| 15 moons | Warrior | Ambitious | Fast Runner | Cis!Male (he/him) | Gay

Eveningbriar: Medium-furred black/Golden-brown mottled she-cat with gray eyes| 12 moons | Warrior | Insecure | Great Singer | Cis!Fem (she/her) | Pan

Ariel: Short-furred gray she-cat with a white tail tip and amber eyes with a green bow| 19 moons | Kittypet | Rebellious | Out-Of-The-Box Thinker & Fast Runner | Cis!Fem (she/her) | Straight

???: ??? | ??? | Demon | ??? | ??? | ??? (she/it)| ???

***

“All those old enough to pledge their loyalty, please gather under the Leader’s Ledge.”

The clan gathers expectantly, all knowing what is about to happen.

“As you all know, there is an apprentice among our ranks who is long overdue for his warrior ceremony. Yellowpaw, step forward.”

The yellow-eyed tom steps forward, his body language radiating confidence. It was a far cry from the weak-willed tom who Warmstar could barely convince to join them, even with his alternative being almost certain death.

“Yellowpaw, the clan recognizes the great perseverance it took for you to get to this point. From now on, you leave your paws behind and wear your claws with pride. You are now Yelloweyes.”

The clan chants his new name, rushing to congratulate him.

A few days later

“Cavepaw!”

“Oh, hey, Warmstar, come in!” Cavepaw steps back so the leader can enter. “Need something?”

“Nah, just wanted to spend time with you! It’s been ages!”

Cavepaw sighs. “Yeah, it’s been a hot minute…” Ever since Yelloweyes had gotten injured and Warmstar had officially become leader, it had been some time since the two had spent some quality time together.

The two spent their time catching up, swapping stories and reminiscing, but something had been bugging Cavepaw for a bit now. Warmstar’s delusions had begun to worsen, with his ‘demon’ being an almost constant presence. Not only that, but whenever Cavepaw entered his den, it reeked of blood. He had even gone snooping once while Warmstar was on patrol and found some bones with odd symbols on them. But just as he was about to ask, she came in.

“Clavepaw, Clavepaw, Clavepaw!”

It was Bravekit, back with another bundle of ‘herbs’. 

“Oh, err, hey Bravekit.” Warmstar greeted, “Whatcha doing?”

Bravekit spits the flowers out of her mouth. “I’m delivering herbs!”

Warmstar narrows his eyes in confusion. “Those aren’t-”

Cavepaw whips his tail against Warmstar’s mouth and gives him a warning glare. “Just put them in the usual corner!”

Warmstar turns to see that in the corner closest to his nest is a small pile of random, non-medicinal flowers.

“Okie-Dokie! I’ll even sort them for you Cavepaw, cuz that’s what good warriors do!” Bravekit squeaks.

“Thanks, Brave.” Cavepaw says with a smile. 

“Err, what’s going on?” Warmstar asks.

“She just started giving me random flowers for no reason, saying it was a ‘warrior's duty’. I don’t mind it though. It keeps her out of the warriors’ fur and gives me some pretty decoration.” Cavepaw explains.

Warmstar nods in understanding, amused. The two continue their chat with Bravekit occasionally interjecting with her own quips and demands that Cavepaw lick the knots out of her fur. Though Cavepaw wants to bring up Warmstar’s hallucinations with him, he strays from the heavy topic with Bravekit in earshot. Eventually, Velvetdream pops by the den. 

“Warm, Cave… Brave?”

“Hi!!!”

Velvetdream nods her head politely. “May I borrow Warmstar for a bit?”

“Yes, of course.” Cavepaw replies. “Catch you later?”

“Sure thing, Cave.”

“Baiiiii!!!”

Leader and deputy pad out into camp, quickly rushing into the leader’s den atop the ledge where they know they won’t be disturbed.

“Has something happened?”

Velvetdream sighs. “I took Eveningpaw out on patrol today.”

“Yes, and?”

“And while we were at the BeetleClan border we came across some kits. Must’ve snuck out of camp. We were going to wait with them until someone came to get them, and if no one did, bring them to the camp themselves. But a patrol came and before we could explain ourselves decided that we were some rogues who had stolen the kits. They were exceptionally hostile.”

“Oh dear…” This was not part of the plan. He had expected to have at least a few more moons before any confrontations with the other clans. MaggotClan did not have nearly enough power to be called an established clan. If the other clan’s learned about them, especially through the lens of them being some lawless rogues who wanted to corrupt some poor kits, war would be inevitable.

“Make sure that everyone lays low for a while. Try to keep off the clan borders. It’ll be fine. I’ll handle it.”

Later that night

Blood.

Bones.

Words.

“Please, I need help. Just buy us some time, just a few moons.”

“...”

“Please! I’m begging!”

“Dgy caesbbovc.

Yxo rkbo.

Mkd'c lvyyn.”

***

Events

Yelloweyes becomes a warrior!

Cavepaw and Warmstar enjoy each other’s company!

Bravekit gathers flowers around camp and brings them to the healer’s den!

Bravekit shares tongues with Cavepaw!

Velvetdream and Eveningpaw come across two BeetleClan kits! However, they are chased away after a misunderstanding, lowering relations with BeetleClan!

***

Characters

Warmstar: Medium-furred light brown tabby tom with violet eyes and a reddish-brown paw print on his forehead | 16 moons | Leader (9 lives) | Charismatic | Good Decorator | Cis!Male (he/him) | Aroace

Velvetdream: Medium-furred light brown she-cat with copper eyes | 14 moons | Deputy | Reserved | Dog-Whisperer & Masterful Storyteller | Trans!Fem (she/her) | Lesbian

Cavepaw: Medium-furred unusually spotted gray tom with cyan eyes | 11 moons | Healer App. | Bouncy | Incredibly Knowledgeable| Cis!Male (he/him) | Bi

Yelloweyes: Medium-furred speckled dark brown and white tom with yellow eyes and a scar at the base of his tail| 14 moons | Warrior | Ambitious | Fast Runner | Cis!Male (he/him) | Gay

Eveningpaw: Medium-furred black/Golden-brown mottled she-cat with gray eyes| 11 moons | Warrior App. | Insecure | Great Singer | Cis!Fem (she/her) | Pan

Bravekit: Short-furred brown smoke she-kit with dark blue eyes | 4 moons | Kit | Attention-Seeker | Steps Lightly | Cis!Fem (she/her) | ???

???: ??? | ??? | Demon | ??? | ??? | ??? (she/it)| ???

***

Bravekit... Never change.

What makes a clan has changed many times since the first clans were formed. This is a rough timeline on how becoming a clan has changed.

Original (Mandate of Paradise)

When the concept of clans were first created, any group that followed Paradise or had the 'Mandate of Paradise' was considered a clan. However, this had a few flaws. With ButterflyClan being the 'authority' on Paradise, they could grant and strip the title of clan to any group. While this was used for good most of the time, after a few corrupt leaders, all having the Mandate of Paradise meant was that you were friends with the ButterflyClan leader at the time. It also meant that groups that ButterflyClan wasn't fond of (at the time BeetleClan) could never get the Mandate of Paradise, even though they functioned liked a clan and followed Paradise.

BeetleClan Revision

After a few angelic threats warnings, ButterflyClan and BeeClan made some revisions to what makes a clan, called the BeetleClan Revision. Instead of just needing the Mandate of Paradise, a clan would also need to follow the warrior code and have the Mandate of Paradise. The revision also made it so that no mortal cat could give the Mandate of Paradise. It could only be given by an angel. This reduced the number of false clans and allowed BeetleClan to become a clan.

(Modern) AntClan Revision

After the Bee-Ant Civil War, the clans were faced with a new problem. AntClan, a clan that actively rejected Paradise, had been formed. Though they followed the warrior code and had the structure of a clan, they did not follow Paradise, and thus could not recieve the Mandate of Paradise. ButterflyClan actively rejected AntClan (and even refused to refer to them as a clan for some time even after they were instated), however, BeetleClan insisted they be treated seriously. After many moons, they all finally came to the decision of what makes a clan. They dropped the Mandate of Paradise requirement but added a few other requirements to balance things out.

What Makes a Clan?

A clearly defined leader

A clearly defined succession plan

A clearly defined healer & warrior class

A clearly defined territory

At least 1 healer

At least 10 warriors (including leader & deputy)

An age of at least 24 moons (2 years)

At least one warrior who was born and raised within the clan

From oldest to youngest.

ButterflyClan

Description: The oldest, most devote of the clans, cats of ButterflyClan tend to be exceptionally close to Paradise. However, they have lost popularity among the clans over the years due to harsh practices and a pompous attitude.

BeeClan

Description: BeeClan tries it's best to balance both faith and family. In BeeClan, love of family is the most important bond (second only to love of Paradise). It is especially popular among kittypets.

BeetleClan

Description: The strongest of the clans, BeetleClan prides itself on their strength, with tradition stating that an apprentice may only become a warrior after they have bested their mentor in a fight. However, in their conquest for power, they seem to have left Paradise behind, being the least devout out of the Paradise-Clans

AntClan

Description: AntClan relies on order and science, with its warriors and healers being divided into extremely specific groups. A secular clan, AntClan leaders forgo the lives system and is the only clan to be openly atheistic.

WaspClan

Description: WaspClan is the newest clan to grace the land, being made up of ex-rogues and BeeClan defects. Though the clans are unsure about them, they have already made quite an impression, being the first clan to actively follow the Abyss as opposed to Paradise.

***

Eveningpaw sits atop the large hill at the edge of the territory, gazing out to the west where her family was: ButterflyClan.

“Room for one more?”

Eveningpaw whips around to see Warmstar, gazing at them softly.

“Always.”

The two sit at the top of the hill in silence, gazing upon their old territory.

“Is it bad… that I miss them?”

Warmstar remains silent, sensing that the she-cat is not quite done.

“I mean, I know they’re bad. With the purgings, and the conversion, and all those ‘rescues’... I mean, what they did to Velvet and Yellow was unspeakable, but… I miss Pa-Pa’s stories…”

“It is fine to miss them, natural even. And you’re not a bad cat for that. The best we can do is acknowledge what they did was wrong and move past it.”

Eveningpaw nods. “Right…” She laughs. “I definitely don’t miss Skysight’s lectures!”

Warmstar cackles. “‘Youngins these days ain’t have no respect for the stars!’”

Eveningpaw giggles at his crude imitation of the warrior. “Yeah! And remember Mousepaw?” 

“Ugh, don’t get me started on Mousepaw! Smug little fox-heart…”

Eveningpaw giggles, remembering the leader’s rivalry with their past clan mate. She could still remember the smug look on his face when he got made a warrior before her. “I wonder if she got her name yet.”

“I hope it’s something stupid, like Mousebile!”

The two cats giggle and spend the rest of the day reminiscing about their life in their old clan, wondering what everyone was up to now.

And if they even realized they were gone.

Meanwhile…

“Alright, here it goes.”

“How’s it look?”

Cavepaw sighs. “I’m sorry, Yellow, I couldn’t prevent the scaring…” 

“Oh, it’s fine,” Yellowpaw assures. “I’m just glad I got to keep the tail!”

Yellowpaw goes to the pool at the edge of camp to see his new battlescar. It was a large scar at the base of his tail.

“Not too bad. Really, it’ll only be visible when I’m sitting. Thanks a ton Cavepaw.”

“No problem, Yellow. You better catch me the fattest mouse ever now that you’re out of the healer’s den!”

Yellowpaw laughs and flicks his newly healed tail at the healer apprentice before rushing off to find Velvetdream to get out there on patrol.

***

Events

Eveningpaw and Warmstar spend the day mocking ButterflyClan!

Yellowpaw’s tail is fully healed, but it is permanently scarred!

***

Characters

Warmstar: Medium-furred light brown tabby tom with violet eyes and a reddish-brown paw print on his forehead| 15 moons | Leader (9 lives) | Charismatic | Good Decorator | Cis!Male (he/him) | Aroace

Cavepaw: Medium-furred unusually spotted gray tom with cyan eyes | 10 moons | Healer App. | Bouncy | Incredibly Knowledgeable| Cis!Male (he/him) | Bi

Yellowpaw: Medium-furred speckled dark brown and white tom with yellow eyes and a scar at the base of his tail| 13 moons | Warrior App. | Ambitious | Never Sits Still | Cis!Male (he/him) | Gay

Eveningpaw: Medium-furred black/Golden-brown mottled she-cat with gray eyes| 10 moons | Warrior App. | Insecure | Great Singer | Cis!Fem (she/her) | Pan

***

A mundane moon.

“Velvet, can I see you in my den for a bit?”

Velvetdream pads into Warmfeather’s den, fairly certain she knows what this is about. She walks into the den to find him facing the wall, panting and covered in blood. The den is scattered with bones and reeks of blood and death.

“Did the demon give you your lives?”

Warmfeather turns around, nodding breathlessly. There is a new reddish-brown mark on his forehead in the shape of a paw. For most leaders, this was white, or a light blue, but Velvetdream supposed that it just looked different when the deal was made with a demon.

“Yes… I… am… Warmstar…”

The two cats remain silent for a bit.

“Yes, I will be your deputy.” she tells him, already knowing what was going to be asked of her. “And yes, I’ll say you got your lives from Paradise.”

Warmstar lets out a mirthless laugh. “Yes, yes, thank you.”

More silence.

“Velvet, you are the only one I can trust with this, the only one who understands. So this is why I will tell you now: I have done unspeakable things, and you will do them too. Things that will haunt your dreams at night. Things that will make you want to die. Do not doubt yourself for even for a second. Never question anything you do, and in everything you do, do it with our goal in mind. It is the only way you will bear the guilt.”

“...I understand.”

Meanwhile…

The two apprentices giggle as they take a peaceful stroll along the outer borders of camp. Yellowpaw’s had stopped bleeding as heavily, so Cavepaw determined he was well enough to go out.

“Careful near the brambles, you might rip your cobwebs!” Eveningpaw chastises.

“Quit being a worry-wart!” the yellow-eyed tom laughs. “I’ll be fine.” 

“Fine? Fine my tail!”

“Hey!”

The two bicker back and forth, smiles never leaving their faces. Then, a rustle can be heard in the bushes. Before Eveningpaw can even think of reacting, the larger tom quickly covers her with his body, hissing madly. There is silence for a beat before a frightened mouse quickly scurries off.

“Oh…” Yellowpaw sighs, slowly getting off his equally relieved friend. “Sorry ‘bout that.”

“Sorry? That was cool!” Eveningpaw exclaims.

“Really?” Yellowpaw asks.

“Really! If Warmfeather saw that, I bet he’d make you a warrior on the spot!”

Yellowpaw purrs warmly, feeling giddy at his friend's praise. “Maybe! But we best head back to camp. If we stay out any longer, Cavepaw might think another fox got to us!”

The two share a laugh, and head back to camp.

Meanwhile…

“Clavepaw, Clavepaw, Clavepaw!”

Cavepaw turns to the mouth of his den to see Bravekit with a bunch of flowers stuffed in her mouth. 

“Err- Brave?”

Bravekit spits out the flowers at his feet.

“Cavepaw, Cavepaw, Cavepaw! I brought you herbs!”

“Herbs?” Cavepaw looked at the pile. Those were definitely not medicinal herbs. Even if they were, Bravekit had mangled them into such a state that they would be useless. “Oh, how, um, thoughtful. You have the eye of a healer already…”

“Nah, I don’t wanna be a healer. Sounds boring. No offense.”

“None taken.”

“I’m gonna be a warrior! And I’ll graduate early too, like Velvetdream!”

The tom snickers, though he politely covers his mouth with his tail. “Oh really? That’s quite the goal to aspire to.”

“I’ll do it!” Bravekit replied confidently. “And then I’ll be a leader, and get my nine lives.”

Cavepaw goes silent at the mention of lives. “You really believe in all that stuff, kit?”

“Well, duh!”

Cavepaw curls up with the kit and talks about how life works, really works, to her.

***

Events

Warmstar becomes leader of MaggotClan!

Velvetdream becomes deputy!

Velvetdream knows that the advice Warmstar gave her will be helpful!

Yellowpaw’s tail has stopped bleeding!

Eveningpaw feels safe with Yellowpaw around!Bravekit picks some flowers around camp to give to the healer’s den!

Cavepaw tells Bravekit something important.

***

Characters

Warmstar: Medium-furred light brown tabby tom with violet eyes and a reddish-brown paw print on his forehead | 14 moons | Leader (9 lives) | Charismatic | Good Decorator | Cis!Male (he/him) | Aroace

Velvetdream: Medium-furred light brown she-cat with copper eyes | 12 moons | Deputy | Reserved | Dog-Whisperer & Masterful Storyteller | Trans!Fem (she/her) | Lesbian

Cavepaw: Medium-furred unusually spotted gray tom with cyan eyes | 9 moons | Healer App. | Bouncy | Incredibly Knowledgeable| Cis!Male (he/him) | Bi

Yellowpaw: Medium-furred speckled dark brown and white tom with yellow eyes | 12 moons | Warrior App. | Ambitious | Never Sits Still | Cis!Male (he/him) | Gay

Eveningpaw: Medium-furred black/Golden-brown mottled she-cat with gray eyes| 9 moons | Warrior App. | Insecure | Great Singer | Cis!Fem (she/her) | Pan

Bravekit: Short-furred brown smoke she-kit with dark blue eyes | 2 moons | Kit | Attention-Seeker | Steps Lightly | Cis!Fem (she/her) | ???

***

Yeah, Warmstar being covered in blood is going to be a common theme...

“Yellowpaw, Yellowpaw, guess what!?” Bravekit squeaks, barreling into the healer den.

“Huh, kit?” Yellowpaw mumbles, exhausted, though he’s done nothing but lie in a nest for a whole moon.

“Velvetpaw’s graduating today!” the brown kit squeaks.

“A-Already!?” 

“Mhm! She says she’s doing it early, so that makes her super cool!”

“Oh… that’s nice.”

“Bravekit!”

Bravekit squeals as she is picked up by the healer apprentice and gently tossed out the mouth of the den. “Quit bugging my patient!” The kit giggles before she rushes off to find some other cat to pester.

Cavepaw settles beside Yellowpaw and begins cleaning his wound. “Thanks, it’s been itching all day.”

“No worries.”

“...”

“...”

“I guess you heard the news.”

“Yeah, I mean, it makes sense. She’s talented and brave, I’m happy for her.”

“You don’t seem happy.” Cavepaw points out, applying a marigold poultice to his tail.

“I just… I’m a bad warrior.” the speckled tom laments.

“No you are not-”

“Yes, I am! My tail is proof enough.”

“No, if anything your tail is proof you were strong enough to stand up for what you believe in!” Cavepaw assures. “I mean, you saved Bravekit from that fox-”

“I wasn’t trying to save the kit…”

“What?”

“I wasn’t trying to save the kit!” Yellowpaw hisses. “I was trying to run away! I got scared when I saw the fox so I high-tailed it! That’s how he got me by the tail! The others only said I fought it off so I didn’t look bad…”

Cavepaw is silent for a moment before curling around him.

“I was going to leave those kits to die, Cavepaw!” he sobbed, “I was gonna kill them…”

“Shh, shh, you just panicked, you didn’t try to kill them. Even if you hadn’t tried to run, I doubt you could have saved all of them. You might have even gotten Eveningpaw and Velvet killed.”

“I killed them!” Yellowpaw wails. “I killed them!”

“No, you didn’t…”

Cavepaw spends the rest of the day soothing his distraught friend.

Later that evening…

As the sun begins to set, the clan gathers under the Leader’s Ledge, to celebrate a new warrior. All but Yellowpaw, who Cavepaw explained was too unwell to go out, was present. Warmfeather appears from the mouth of his den atop the ledge. 

“Cats of MaggotClan! We are gathered here today to accept the first ever warrior of MaggotClan into our ranks. Velvetpaw, step forward.”

The lonesome she-cat steps forward, pride shining in her eyes. Warmfeather knew that despite her young age, she was more qualified than some senior warriors back in ButterflyClan. Besides, if MaggotClan ever hoped to debut as a legitimate clan in the future, they would need some warriors…

“This clan recognizes the hard-work and determination it took for you to get to this point. From now on, you leave your paws behind and wear your claws with pride. You are now Velvetdream.”

The clan erupts into cheers, rushing to congratulate the new warrior. Amidst the commotion, Warmfeather sneaks off.

Later that night…

Warmfeather pants as he recites the words that have become all too familiar to his mouth. He is covered in blood, both his and the sacrificial hare. Bones with strange symbols etched onto them are arranged in a circle, the massacred hare in the middle.

And then she appears.

“Why won’t you give me my lives!?”

“...”

“I’ve done everything you asked!”

“...”

“I gathered a clan, I renounced the stars, I did all your little sacrifices, even that poor kittypet- What more do you want!?”

“...”

“...”

“Drosb cyevc.”

***

Events

Cavepaw grooms a hard to reach spot for Yellowpaw!

Velvetdream becomes a warrior!

***

Characters

Warmfeather: Medium-furred light brown tabby tom with violet eyes | 13 moons | Deputy | Charismatic | Good Decorator | Cis!Male (he/him) | Aroace

Cavepaw: Medium-furred unusually spotted gray tom with cyan eyes | 8 moons | Healer App. | Bouncy | Incredibly Knowledgeable| Cis!Male (he/him) | Bi

Velvetdream: Medium-furred light brown she-cat with copper eyes | 11 moons | Warrior | Reserved | Dog-Whisperer & Masterful Storyteller | Trans!Fem (she/her) | Lesbian

Yellowpaw: Medium-furred speckled dark brown and white tom with yellow eyes | 11 moons | Warrior App. | Cowardly | Never Sits Still | Cis!Male (he/him) | Gay

Bravekit: Short-furred brown smoke she-kit with dark blue eyes | 1 moons | Kit | Attention-Seeker | Steps Lightly | Cis!Fem (she/her) | ???

???: ??? | ??? | ??? | ??? | ??? | ??? (she/it)| ???

“Yellowpaw, Yellowpaw, guess what!?” Bravekit squeaks, barreling into the healer den.

“Huh, kit?” Yellowpaw mumbles, exhausted, though he’s done nothing but lie in a nest for a whole moon.

“Velvetpaw’s graduating today!” the brown kit squeaks.

“A-Already!?” 

“Mhm! She says she’s doing it early, so that makes her super cool!”

“Oh… that’s nice.”

“Bravekit!”

Bravekit squeals as she is picked up by the healer apprentice and gently tossed out the mouth of the den. “Quit bugging my patient!” The kit giggles before she rushes off to find some other cat to pester.

Cavepaw settles beside Yellowpaw and begins cleaning his wound. “Thanks, it’s been itching all day.”

“No worries.”

“...”

“...”

“I guess you heard the news.”

“Yeah, I mean, it makes sense. She’s talented and brave, I’m happy for her.”

“You don’t seem happy.” Cavepaw points out, applying a marigold poultice to his tail.

“I just… I’m a bad warrior.” the speckled tom laments.

“No you are not-”

“Yes, I am! My tail is proof enough.”

“No, if anything your tail is proof you were strong enough to stand up for what you believe in!” Cavepaw assures. “I mean, you saved Bravekit from that fox-”

“I wasn’t trying to save the kit…”

“What?”

“I wasn’t trying to save the kit!” Yellowpaw hisses. “I was trying to run away! I got scared when I saw the fox so I high-tailed it! That’s how he got me by the tail! The others only said I fought it off so I didn’t look bad…”

Cavepaw is silent for a moment before curling around him.

“I was going to leave those kits to die, Cavepaw!” he sobbed, “I was gonna kill them…”

“Shh, shh, you just panicked, you didn’t try to kill them. Even if you hadn’t tried to run, I doubt you could have saved all of them. You might have even gotten Eveningpaw and Velvet killed.”

“I killed them!” Yellowpaw wails. “I killed them!”

“No, you didn’t…”

Cavepaw spends the rest of the day soothing his distraught friend.

Later that evening…

As the sun begins to set, the clan gathers under the Leader’s Ledge, to celebrate a new warrior. All but Yellowpaw, who Cavepaw explained was too unwell to go out, was present. Warmfeather appears from the mouth of his den atop the ledge. 

“Cats of MaggotClan! We are gathered here today to accept the first ever warrior of MaggotClan into our ranks. Velvetpaw, step forward.”

The lonesome she-cat steps forward, pride shining in her eyes. Warmfeather knew that despite her young age, she was more qualified than some senior warriors back in ButterflyClan. Besides, if MaggotClan ever hoped to debut as a legitimate clan in the future, they would need some warriors…

“This clan recognizes the hard-work and determination it took for you to get to this point. From now on, you leave your paws behind and wear your claws with pride. You are now Velvetdream.”

The clan erupts into cheers, rushing to congratulate the new warrior. Amidst the commotion, Warmfeather sneaks off.

Later that night…

Warmfeather pants as he recites the words that have become all too familiar to his mouth. He is covered in blood, both his and the sacrificial hare. Bones with strange symbols etched onto them are arranged in a circle, the massacred hare in the middle.

And then she appears.

“Why won’t you give me my lives!?”

“...”

“I’ve done everything you asked!”

“...”

“I gathered a clan, I renounced the stars, I did all your little sacrifices, even that poor kittypet- What more do you want!?”

“...”

“...”

“Drosb cyevc.”

***

Events

Cavepaw grooms a hard to reach spot for Yellowpaw!

Velvetdream becomes a warrior!

***

Characters

Warmfeather: Medium-furred light brown tabby tom with violet eyes | 13 moons | Deputy | Charismatic | Good Decorator | Cis!Male (he/him) | Aroace

Cavepaw: Medium-furred unusually spotted gray tom with cyan eyes | 8 moons | Healer App. | Bouncy | Incredibly Knowledgeable| Cis!Male (he/him) | Bi

Velvetdream: Medium-furred light brown she-cat with copper eyes | 11 moons | Warrior | Reserved | Dog-Whisperer & Masterful Storyteller | Trans!Fem (she/her) | Lesbian

Yellowpaw: Medium-furred speckled dark brown and white tom with yellow eyes | 11 moons | Warrior App. | Cowardly | Never Sits Still | Cis!Male (he/him) | Gay

Bravekit: Short-furred brown smoke she-kit with dark blue eyes | 1 moons | Kit | Attention-Seeker | Steps Lightly | Cis!Fem (she/her) | ???

???: ??? | ??? | ??? | ??? | ??? | ??? (she/it) | ???

***

So Yellowpaw totally doesn't have an eensy-teensy bit of trauma that definitely won't effect him in the future. Nope. No sir-ee.

Warmfeather sweeps up the last of the debris with his tail. “There you go, Cavepaw, your brand-new healer den!”

“Wow!” Cavepaw exclaims “It looks a lot nicer without all that dirt! But it doesn’t really feel like a healer’s den…”

“Well, duh! That’s ‘cuz you don’t have any herbs yet! See, you can put the betony there, and the cobwebs here…” 

Cavepaw smiles as he watches the tabby buzz about, planning out his den. He knew his friend had been stressed out recently, with founding a new clan and all, and it brought him great joy to see him happy. Speaking off…

“Hey, has, err- Paradise given you your nine lives yet?” the gray tom asks awkwardly. He didn’t really have much faith in Paradise, the Abyss, or the lives system. He supposed was what made him so much different than the other aspiring healers in his old clan. And made him hated…

Warmfeather jerks straight at the mention of his lives. “Oh, um, not quite yet. I’m sure I’ll get them soon enough.” And then he hears the voice.

Warmfeather whips his head to the side to see her. A shadowy creature that made up the shape of a cat with two pits of fire for eyes. She smirks at him before fading into nothingness.

“Uh, Warm?”

“Yes, yes!?”

Cavepaw looks at his friend, concerned. He had been doing that often, staring into space, seeing things no one else could see. He had actually been slipping poppy seeds and rosemary into his prey, hoping it would stop what had to be hallucinations. But nothing had changed. Just as he was about to ask him if he was truly okay, a cry rang out from camp.

The two toms rush out to see Yellowpaw, a bicolored tom leaning on Velvetpaw, his petite friend. Beside them, Eveningpaw, holding a small bundle.

“What in the Abyss-”

“Velvetpaw, what happened here!?” Cavepaw asked frantically.

“Fox… Fight… Kit… Tail…” Velvetpaw puffs out, clearly out of breath.

It is then that Warmfeather’s attention is brought to the bundle in Eveningpaw’s jaw. It was a kit. “Eveningpaw, where did you get that?”

The mottled she-cat set the kit down before sputtering out, “Th-th-there was a fox!”

“A fox?”

“Yes, it was trying to eat the kits! Y-Y-Yellowpaw tried to save it and-and-”

“Kits? Plural?” he asked, looking at the singular wet kit, mewling pitifuly on the ground.

“Th-there were others b-but we couldn’t-”

“I understand.” Warmfeather soothed. “Are you injured?”

“I’m fine, so is Velvetpaw, but Yellowpaw! The fox grabbed him by his tail!”

Warmfeather turns to look closely at Yellowpaw, noting his badly mangled tail. “Cavepaw?”

The gray tom sighs. “It isn’t  good. He’s lost a lot of blood. Help me get him into the healer den, bring the kit too.

Several hours later…

It was late at night and things had finally calmed down. Yellowpaw was resting in the healer den, and Cavepaw and Velvetpaw had gone out on a late night herb hunt. Meanwhile, Warmfeather was cuddled up with Eveningpaw and the small she-kit in the warrior’s den.

“Warmfeather, it was awful!”

“I know.”

“I-I just froze! I-I’m a horrible warrior.”

Warmfeather shushes her and licks her ear. “Hush now. You did everything you could in that situation.”

Eveningpaw sniffs. “You really think so?”

“I know so,” the violet-eyed tom replies. “You were very brave.”

“I didn’t feel very brave. The kit was braver than me. Brave little kit.”

“That’s a nice name, actually. Bravekit.”

“Yeah, Bravekit...”

Some time later…

All the clan was asleep when he saw her. Staring at the little kit. She smiles.

“Q S F O W O G R K D S K W Y G O N”

***

Events

Bravekit has joined the clan!

Yellowpaw’s tail was badly injured by a fox!

Eveningpaw had a difficult conversation with Warmfeather and they now have a better understanding of one another!

***

Characters

Warmfeather: Medium-furred light brown tabby tom with violet eyes | 12 moons | Deputy | Charismatic | Good Decorator | Cis!Male (he/him) | Aroace

Cavepaw: Medium-furred unusually spotted gray tom with cyan eyes | 7 moons | Healer App. | Bouncy | Incredibly Knowledgeable| Cis!Male (he/him) | Bi

Eveningpaw: Medium-furred black/Golden-brown mottled she-cat with gray eyes| 7 moons | Warrior App. | Insecure | Great Singer | Cis!Fem (she/her) | Pan

Yellowpaw: Medium-furred speckled dark brown and white tom with yellow eyes | 10 moons | Warrior App. | Cowardly | Never Sits Still | Cis!Male (he/him) | Gay

Velvetpaw: Medium-furred light brown she-cat with copper eyes | 10 moons | Warrior App. | Reserved | Dog-Whisperer & Great Storyteller | Trans!Fem (she/her) | Lesbian

Bravekit: Short-furred brown smoke she-kit with ??? eyes | 0 moons | Kit | ??? | ??? | Cis!Fem (she/her) | ???

???: ??? | ??? | ??? | ??? | ??? | ??? (she/it)| ???

***

It begins!